No problem in letting go portfolios, says K’taka Dy CM

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said he had “no problem” in letting go of his portfolios, including the Home Department, to the newly-inducted Cabinet ministers. 

This comes a day after Parameshwara reportedly locked horns with Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah over a suggestion that he should let go of the Home portfolio. Parameshwara currently holds three portfolios - Home, Bengaluru City Development and Youth Empowerment & Sports. 

“There’s no problem in letting go of portfolios. This formula will apply to all,” Parameshwara told reporters. Asked how many portfolios will be retained of the three, Parameshwara said the party high command would decide finally. “Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal and myself have told the high command who should get what. The high command will announce the portfolios today,” he said. 

Parameshwara also rubbished reports that he engaged in a verbal duel with Siddaramaiah on the allocation of portfolios. 

On December 22, eight Congress legislators were inducted into Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s Cabinet, taking its size to 32 now. Two positions of the JD(S) are still vacant. 

It is said that Siddaramaiah suggested that Parameshwara let go of the Home portfolio, which did not go down well with Parameshwara. Siddaramaiah is said to have favoured the Home portfolio to Lingayat leader MB Patil, one his of loyal aides.